Destination: Valencia

Bathed by the Mediterranean, shaped by history and projected towards the future, the capital of the Turia River has managed to reinvent itself without losing its essence.

Here, traces of the city’s Roman past, medieval splendour, bourgeois modernism and one of Europe’s most daring contemporary architectural visions coexist seamlessly.

If there is a common thread that explains the evolution of Valencia, it is design: not as something superficial or purely aesthetic, but as a way of thinking about the city, of living in it and projecting it out toward the world. Valencia today is an urban laboratory where creativity translates into spaces, experiences and solutions that improve everyday life.

Its recognition as World Design Capital 2022, awarded by the World Design Organization, was not a finishing line, but rather the confirmation of a long and coherent journey—and the beginning of a new phase in which design has become a strategic tool for the city’s cultural, social and economic development.

A creative tradition rooted in history

Although Valencia’s present as a design capital seems obvious, its roots go back centuries. As early as the 15^th century, the city pioneered the introduction of the first printing press in Spain, marking the beginning of a lasting relationship with visual culture and communication.

Over time, this creative vocation has manifested itself in fields as diverse as the silk industry, ceramics and graphic arts. It is no coincidence that Valencia gave birth to key figures in graphic design such as Josep Renau, nor that today its professionals continue to set international trends.

This legacy has been brought up to date with a contemporary vision where design does not merely beautify, but transforms. From the visual identity of public transport—shaped by designers like Pepe Gimeno—to Fallas posters, now considered true works of art, Valencia proves that design permeates every aspect of urban life.

The legacy of being a World Design Capital

Being named World Design Capital in 2022 was far more than a symbolic title. It brought investment in cultural infrastructure, increased international visibility and, above all, consolidated a solid interconnected creative ecosystem.

A year later, the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City reinforced this position, placing Valencia within a global network of cities that see culture as a driver of development.

Today, that momentum is still very much alive. Events, exhibitions, design studios, schools and collaborative spaces form a dynamic network that makes the city an essential destination for anyone seeking inspiration.

Architecture: where design takes shape

Talking about design in Valencia inevitably means talking about architecture. Few places illustrate this better than the City of Arts and Sciences: a futuristic ensemble that has redefined the city’s skyline. Its organic forms, its dialogue with water and its educational purpose make it one of the most iconic examples of contemporary architecture in Europe.

But Valencia is not only about the avant-garde. The Colón Market, with its elegant modernist structure, shows how design has long been a tool for elevating everyday spaces. Today, transformed into a cultural and gastronomic hub, it remains a perfect example of how heritage can adapt to new ways of living.

Urban design also plays a key role. The Turia Gardens, created on the former riverbed, is one of Europe’s most innovative urban parks: a green corridor that runs through the city and redefines its relationship with public space. It is complemented by the Valencia’s Central Park: a recent example of how urban planning can reclaim industrial areas and turn them into vibrant meeting places.

Neighbourhoods where design comes to life

In addition to its major landmarks, design in Valencia is experienced at a human scale, by walking through its neighbourhoods.

In Ruzafa, creativity can be felt on every corner. Once a working class district, it has become a cultural hotspot where art galleries, independent bookstores, designer cafés and concept stores coexist, with interior design playing a central role in the experience.

The El Carmen, in the historic centre, offers a fascinating mix of history and contemporaneity. Its narrow streets are home to alternative cultural spaces, artists’ studios and urban art murals that turn the area into an open-air museum.

Meanwhile, El Cabanyal celebrates its maritime identity through unique architecture, with colourful façades and ceramic tiles that reflect Valencia’s history in the ceramics trade. It is a clear example of how design can preserve collective memory while driving renewal.

Gastronomy and interior design: a full-spectrum experience

In Valencia, design is not only something to look at—it is also something to taste. Deeply rooted in the region, its gastronomy finds in interior design a powerful ally to create memorable experiences.

Restaurants and cafés embrace carefully curated spaces where materials, lighting and layout interact with the culinary offering. Enjoying a paella by the sea or dining in a thoughtfully designed venue are not separate experiences, but part of the same narrative. Boutique hotels and unique accommodations further reinforce this trend, offering spaces where every detail is designed to surprise and delight. Here, design becomes hospitality.

Graphic design: the city’s visual identity

Valencia also stands out as one of Spain’s leading hubs for graphic design. Its tradition, rooted in historic posters and illustration, remains very much alive today.

From the images for cultural events to the branding of its institutions and companies, the city has developed a coherent and recognizable visual language. A graphic language that blends tradition and modernity and strengthens its international positioning.

A destination that inspires

Exploring Valencia means being immersed in a continuous flow of creativity expressed in every detail: a modernist façade, a design poster, an urban park or the interior of a café. It is a city that invites visitors to observe, to slow down and to discover.

But it is also a starting point. Because design is not exclusive to Valencia—it is a universal language that connects cities, cultures and ways of life.

Beyond Valencia: destinations where design comes alive

If this journey sparks your curiosity, there are many other destinations where design and architecture take centre stage.

In Barcelona, Gaudí’s masterpieces and modernism coexist with cutting-edge innovation. Seville blends historic heritage with bold urban interventions such as Las Setas de la Encarnación. In Prague, Gothic and Baroque architecture coexist in a vibrant creative scene, while Strasbourg offers a unique balance between European tradition and modern institutions.

Each of these cities proves that design is not just a discipline, but a way of understanding the world.

Valencia clearly understands: design is not a luxury, but a tool for building a more livable, more beautiful and more human future. And anyone who visits it quickly understands why.

We’ve planned a great new route for you: a tour of the iconic sites of the Valencian movement of ‘modernismo’. From the Estación del Norte to the Mercado de Colón, including markets, palaces and façades to make you look up the whole way along.

Valencia has that magnetic charm that naturally draws you in: hours of sunlight, a pleasant climate all year round, kilometres of beach, a cuisine you’ll always remember (welcome to paella and horchata), and a delicious combination of past and present. Cycling along the Turia Gardens, strolling through the Old Town or visiting the City of Arts and Sciences are practically a must. And if I also tell you that the city was named the European Green Capital 2024, you can get an idea of the great urban vibe awaiting you here. 

Art Nouveau, Valencian style

At the end of the 19^th century and the beginning of the 20^th century, Valencia was enjoying a period of creative euphoria; the local bourgeoisie made every effort to fill the city with buildings that were modern, beautiful and functional. In Valencia, modernism was renowned for its use of iron, glass and ceramics, for its plant and sea-related motifs, for oranges, orchard produce and local festivals featured in mosaics and ironwork. It’s a style with its own identity, dotted around squares, avenues and markets, and which today you can admire on a day’s walking tour… or take in slowly over a few days.

Read also: Tour of modernist Barcelona

Estación del Norte: the glorious welcome

Start with one of the main points of arrival to the city. The Estación del Norte, opened in 1917 and designed by Demetrio Ribes, is Valencia’s introduction to modernism: an ornate façade full of ceramics, orange trees and ears of wheat, and an interior that seems to say “Bon voyage” in all languages (literally), through the wood, mosaics and ironwork. More than a railway station, it’s an artistic showcase and a source of local pride: listed as an Historical Artistic Monument since 1961 and a Cultural Heritage Site since 1983. Take your time to study the detail before crossing the square towards the centre. 

Mercado de Colón: art, iron and delicious snacks

Just off Ensanche, Colón Market (1914–1916, Francisco Mora) is a cathedral of brickwork and light. The grand arched entrance, the towers and the metal framework beckon you in; once inside, cafés and bustling bars do the rest. It’s one of the finest examples of early 20^th century Valencian modernism and is now a place for people to meet up at any time of day: for a breakfast of fartons (a local speciality bun) and horchata, then back for a vermouth aperitif, or for dinner beneath its windows.

Mercado Central: domes, tiles and the taste of the city

Carry on towards the Old Town to find the Central Market (1914–1928), a temple of iron and glass, where you can buy cured sausages, cheeses, fruit, and decide what you’re going to eat. Take a good look at the domes, with a nod to orchard produce, in the light streaming through the skylights, and at the ceramics featuring the colours of the Valencian flag. Architecture and everyday life come together here; order a sandwich at the bar and watch the world go by. This is modernism in its purest form, and the ultimate setting for a taste of Valencian cuisine.

Palacio de las Comunicaciones (Post Office): giants and letters in the air

Another must-see awaits you in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento: the former Post Office building (1915–1922), by the Aragonese architect Miguel Ángel Navarro. Look up to admire the five allegorical figures representing the continents, as well as the winged messengers, locomotives and boats featured in the ornate façade. No longer a post office, the building now hosts exhibitions and events, but the magnificent entrance used during its years of service is still in place. Step inside if it’s open and walk across the foyer under the dome.

Palacio de la Exposición: modernism at its most “gothic”

Visit the district of l’Exposició for the Exhibition Hall (1909), built in a hurry for the Regional Exhibition. Its creator, Francisco Mora, combined modernism with a nod to medieval Valencia (La Lonja and the Serranos Towers come to mind), resulting in an elegant, photogenic building, now used for events and exhibitions. It’s well worth a visit and stepping into its main hall (salón noble) on the first floor, if open to the public. 

Casa del Punt de Ganxo: sgraffito and enchanting balconies

In the Plaza de la Almoina, very close to the cathedral, you’ll find this 1906 gem by Manuel Peris Ferrando. Its reddish façade, the floral sgraffito and wrought-iron balconies are the ultimate example of Valencian modernism. Stop for a moment to admire the bay windows, the reliefs and the pointed profile that make it unique. A perfect demonstration of how this style could bring art to ordinary residential buildings. 

Calle de la Paz and the surrounding area: a façade-filled walk

If you want to continue this theme, walk down Calle de la Paz; it’s one of the most stylish streets of the 19^th century, full of buildings displaying stunning modernist features. Between the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cirilo Amorós and the Gran Vía, you’ll also find the Casa Ferrer, period canopies such as the one above the entrance to the Teatro Olympia and photogenic façades. A friendly tip: walk slowly, look up and pick out the floral and geometric motifs in the stone, the ironwork and the ceramics.

And by the sea…

If you have any time left, cross the Turia Gardens towards Ayora and the port: the Palacete de Ayora, the Tinglados and the Edificio del Reloj are examples of how modernism was incorporated into the expansion towards the sea. Ideal for finishing off your tour in the sea breeze, before trying the local cocktail, agua de València, as the sun goes down. 

You may also be interested in: 10 experiences to fall in love with Valencia

Useful tips for enjoying your tour

Wear comfortable shoes and let light set the pace: markets in the morning; Ensanche and Colón mid-afternoon; Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Estación del Norte at dusk, when the latter is lit up. When your stomach starts rumbling, have a bite to eat at the Mercado de Colón or go for a traditional paella; if it’s a Sunday, make sure you book in advance. And if you like, there are themed guided tours with secrets and anecdotes that you won’t discover elsewhere. 

Say goodbye… until you’re back again!

Valencia needs to be enjoyed slowly, and its modernism even more so. With its stunning stations, bustling markets and historical palaces, it’s a city that makes you look up and smile. Are you coming to see for yourself? 

Are there really things you can do for free in Valencia? Yes – lots, in fact! In this city, there are heaps of activities you don’t have to pay for, both out in the fresh air as well as indoors. In this article, I’d like to tell you about some free places you can visit in Valencia, and offer you a selection of different activities that won’t cost you a penny.

Free activities and locations in Valencia

Here’s a bunch of things to do in Valencia for free:

Visit Valencia’s free museums

Valencia has quite a varied culture, and the many free-to-visit locations mean that it’s accessible to all. Amongst the free museums in Valencia, you’ll find:

CCCC Centro del Carmen de Cultura Contemporánea

This museum, with its constantly changing exhibitions and the different events it hosts, is found right in the heart of the old town. But on top of that, I think this location is just gorgeous: it’s in an ancient monastery with two beautiful cloisters. Personally, I love visiting this place to check out what new exhibitions they have on!

Bombas Gens Centre d’Art

You’ll find this museum of temporary exhibitions in an old hydraulic pump factory in the Marxalenes district, a little further away from the centre. You can check opening hours and their programme on the official Bombas Gens website.

Museo de Bellas Artes

This is one of Spain’s largest art galleries. Inside, you can appreciate works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and more. I myself only learnt about this place just a few years ago… And what a joy I’ve been missing out on!

Enjoy some of the best dawns and dusks

Valencia is a great place if you’re a morning person and you want to enjoy the sunrise, because we’re located on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula, so the sun rises over the sea. A great spot to visit if you want to see this is Playa de la Malvarrosa.

On the other hand, if you’re like me, and dragging yourself out of bed in the morning is a real challenge, then that’s no problem either: Valencia’s dawns are also spectacular, and you can see one for yourself from Albufera Natural Park.

As I showed you in this article about 10 experiences to fall in love with Valencia, my favourite place to watch the night fall in the Albufera is this dock. Photographers flock there as the sun sets, along with those who just want to enjoy the magic of this moment.

Explore the city’s history

Some places tell part of the tale that leads us to where we are today. In Valencia, these historic locations can be visited for free:

On the one hand, there are the Arab Baths of Almirante, an Islamic hammam constructed in the 14th century. You can visit these baths without paying a penny, and they’re open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

On the other hand, resulting from something much more recent (the Spanish Civil War), there are air-raid shelters that can still be found across the city. The one which belonged to the Grupo Escolar del Ayuntamiento de València, as well as the one on Calle Serranos, can be visited for free, and you can even book a free guided tour. Before you go, check the schedule and who to call for bookings.

Step into gorgeous palaces and government buildings

If you’re looking for more free-to-visit places in Valencia, consider this: there are heaps of palaces and iconic buildings that you can enter for free. For a few years now, people have been allowed to enter the Town Hall and step out onto its balcony. We locals can’t help repeating the words of the Fallera Mayor before the beginning of a mascletà: Senyor pirotècnic, pot començar la mascletà! (pyrotechnics, let the mascletà begin!)

Also, thanks to the Palaus Transparents initiative (you can check their opening hours by downloading their app using the QR code on their website), you can visit a grand total of 17 palaces for free.

Listen to free concerts

A variety of concerts are held in Valencia throughout the year, with a range of different styles. Though you do have to pay for many of them, there are also some free ones.

For example, there’s a Berklee College of Music campus right here in Valencia, which is a globally-reputed university for jazz, contemporary music, and pop. Throughout the year, its students hold concerts in la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. You can visit the Un lago de conciertos website to check the dates.

In El Cabanyal, one of the trendier districts, you’ll find La Fábrica de Hielo (‘Ice Factory’, so named because an ice factory is exactly what it used to be). I personally love it here, it’s massive and dogs are welcome too. They host concerts of widely varying styles, many of which are free to enter, so you only have to pay for food and drink. You can see what they’ve got on by checking their calendar.

Walk around the various parks and gardens

Visiting green spaces is another free activity in Valencia. The ones I really recommend are:

Jardín del Turia

Jardín del Turia extends along the old bed of the river Turia. The river was diverted in 1958 after a tragic flooding which significantly damaged the city. Once they got this open space, do you know what they were thinking of using it for? A six-lane motorway!

Thankfully, the locals were having none of it. Instead of an enormous motorway that would have brought noise and pollution with it, this space would be converted into a large park full of greenery, with sports areas and even a location seemingly plucked from the future: The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

Incidentally, right at the start of Parque de Cabecera, there are large, grassy promenades extending alongside a lake with ducks, which are perfect places to stop for a picnic.

Jardines de Viveros

This is one of the city’s most cherished green spaces, because it’s full of history. What’s more, this large park contains a range of different plant species and sculptures.

Jardín de Monforte

Next to the Jardines de Viveros is a lesser-known location that I actually love visiting when I want to switch off: the Jardín de Monforte. It’s smaller, but it’s still packed full of charm, and it’s usually very quiet.

Parc Central

This is Valencia’s newest park. It’s sprung up along some old train lines, which means that this rather long park contains some old historic buildings linked to its railway past.

Go for a dip in the sea

Tired of walking around? After something to perk you up? A dip in the sea is just what you need! And going during the day isn’t your only option, especially in summer. For example, in the hotter months, what my friends and I like to do is visit Playa de la Patacona when the sun sets and people start to leave. Take towels, some sandwiches, and a cool box with some drinks… And you’re set!

As you’ve seen, there’s quite a lot you can get up to for free in the Valencian capital. Yet another reason to look for a flight to Valencia and get enjoying the city!